Just like a tree the adolescent brain undergoes lots of pruning, some neural connections develop and become stronger, while others become weaker and are lost.

Neuron Networks

Neuron Networks

Credit: Benedict Campbell. Wellcome Images

The naked brain

The naked brain

What stripping away our skull and skin would reveal!

Brainbow

Brainbow

Each nerve cell is labelled with a different fluorescent colour

Texture

Texture

Our brain looks similar to a walnut

Rewiring the Brain

Rewiring the Brain

Photo credit: Brewbooks

NSPN is researching how the adolescent mind and brain develops into early adulthood. We have recruited over 2,000 young people into the study, across Cambridge and London.

What is NSPN?

NSPN (NeuroScience in Psychiatry Network) is a new venture from the University of Cambridge and University College London, which launched in November 2012. We are researching how the adolescent mind and brain develops into early adulthood. To do this, several exciting new studies looking at different areas of brain development will be run at various points over the next five years.
We are aiming to create a volunteer panel of over 2,000 individuals aged 14-24, who may be invited to take part in some of these studies.
To join the panel, you simply need to complete a sign up form, followed by a home questionnaire pack, which we’ll post to you. Based on the information you provide, you may then be invited to take part in some of our NSPN studies, such as U-Change. For more information about how to get involved and to see if your eligible, click the ‘Taking Part’ tab above.